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Due to the heartbreaking news of Bruce Willis’ diagnosis with having Frontotemporal Dementia, we here at Moonlighting21.com want to highlight an article originally published in our first Moonlighting Strangers Fanzine issue (June/July 2002). Our Media Director, Diana Maiocco, wrote about her experience meeting Bruce in May, 1985.

We all want to send our best wishes to Bruce and his family. We also hope and pray for Bruce to get better soon.

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I must say, I am very proud of this picture because I had the opportunity to meet Bruce just before he became very famous and a "wanted man".

It was taken on May 8, 1985 at the New York Hilton Hotel in New York City. The ABC Television Network was throwing an all-star reception for the advertising community to celebrate the announcement of their 1985-86 primetime schedule. At that time, was a mid-season replacement that aired six episodes, which started in March, and the network added the show to its fall primetime line-up. Moonlighting was generating a lot of buzz and third-placed ABC was justifiably proud of it. I became a fan after I saw the pilot. I thought the show was sly, sexy and funny — just like Bruce. I had to meet him and if I did, I had to have a picture (or two) for posterity.

The party was crawling with celebrities – Raquel Welch, Robert Urich (R.I.P.), Lana Turner(!), Dom Deluise(?!) — but my mission was to meet Bruce. My co-worker Ginny was keeping her eyes peeled, too. We were stationed by the escalator, so we wouldn’t miss him exit the party.

A couple of hours passed, then suddenly, I saw him coming toward me. He saw that I was walking toward him and sensed that I wanted to talk to him. As I was moving closer, someone intercepted and started a conversation with him. He then turned around and looked me in the eye had a little smirk on his face. I nodded my head signaling that I would wait for him to finish talking. Meanwhile, a woman, who stood nearby, saw our "exchange" and asked me "Are you with him?" I replied "I wish!" Now I was getting excited and nervous because I was about to meet Bruce Willis. (I was also very young — not the confident, worldly woman I am now — HA!)

Once he finished his little chit-chat, he turned his attention to me and walked over to me. The first thing I noticed was that he has eyes that are very light green. We shook hands and I told him that I think he is very talented and I enjoyed his performance on the show. I asked him if it was ok for my friend to take a picture of us. He said sure and we politely put our arms around each other’s waist. After Ginny took the first picture, I told her to take another one in case it didn’t come out right. We both laughed and that is the picture you are seeing. I then nervously thanked him and he exited the hotel via the escalator.

Did I say I was nervous? The whole encounter took a few minutes, but it was a thrill for me then because I never met a celebrity that I had a crush on. Now I see them fairly regularly and I’m not nervous at all when I meet them. It’s not a big deal anymore.

But wait — there’s more. Feeling bold, I had the photos developed and I mailed a copy of this photo with a little note written behind it to Bruce, in care of Picturemaker Productions. At that point, he must have received tons of nude photos from fans; but a few months later, I received a sexy black and white headshot photograph where he wrote a funny "endearment" and signed it "Bruce". I thought it was pretty classy and kind of him to do that for me and my friends are amazed when I show the picture to them.

Bruce, if you’re reading this — I look better NOW. Trust me.

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